Sony Cancels The Order: 1886 Sequel Due to Poor Reviews, Developer Reveals

Sony reportedly declined a sequel to the PlayStation 4 game, The Order: 1886, due to its lukewarm critical reception, according to Andrea Pessino, co-founder of the game's developer, Ready at Dawn.

In a candid discussion with MinnMax, Pessino revealed that Ready at Dawn proposed a sequel that they believed would have been "incredible," expressing a willingness to commit fully to the project out of dedication to the game's fans. Launched in 2015, The Order: 1886 immersed players in a thrilling action narrative set against the backdrop of Victorian London and werewolves. Despite its stunning visuals, the game garnered mixed reviews.

Pessino emphasized the potential of the sequel, stating, "It would have been an incredible sequel, I can tell you that for a fact," although he was limited in what he could share due to not owning the franchise rights. He acknowledged the challenging dynamics with Sony during the development of the original game, which forced the team to make significant cuts to meet deadlines, ultimately releasing the game prematurely.

The high graphical standards set by initial pitches and reveals created expectations that Ready at Dawn struggled to meet at certain development milestones, leading to withheld payments from Sony. Pessino described this as a common practice in the industry but noted it strained their relationship with Sony. Despite this, Ready at Dawn was prepared to accept less favorable terms for a sequel, driven by a desire to fulfill the vision for their fans.

"We were going to do it just because we wanted to deliver it to the players but we would have been... Terrible budget, budget would be small, we would have been completely at the mercy of any decisions and things because we had no leverage whatsoever," Pessino explained. He lamented their lack of negotiating power but affirmed their readiness to proceed to redeem the franchise, confident in the strong foundation laid by the original game.

The game's ending left fans hanging, with many eager for a sequel to resolve the cliffhanger. However, hopes for a continuation were extinguished when Ready at Dawn was shut down by its owner, Meta, in 2024.

In our review, IGN gave The Order: 1886 a 6/10, noting, "Though a stylish adventure, The Order: 1886 emphasizes its cinematic polish at the crippling cost of gameplay freedom."